Royal Coachman

[murfam]

This is my first try at macro with my new rig. (Canon EOS 40D w/EF 28mmX135mm lens) I have been experimenting with shots of a #14 fly that I tied earlier this winter. This one came out the best, but I'm not at all satisfied with it. The reds came out well, but the body (made of peacock feather) looks dull with none of the green sparkle of the real thing.
It was shot in front of a thin blanket with a small florescent light behind it and the camera's built in flash. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions that you all might have.
Date: 2/14/08
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: EF 28X135mm set at macro
F.L. 65mm
F 5.0 @1/60th sec.
Manual focus

[Tunedout]

Try using it within the lens focus range and maybe a lower f-stop?

[murfam]

Hi Tunedout, I'm not sure what you mean by the lens focus range. The lens is 28mmX135mm and this was taken at 65mm. The lower f-stop is a good idea though.

[inkista]

Every lens has a "minimum focus distance"--any subject closer than that distance cannot be focused on by that lens. The EF 28-135's minimum focus distance is 0.5m (1.6 ft). So, with that lens, your camera needs to be half a meter away from the fly to focus on it.

[Zaahir]

When I first started macro photography I was advised to play around with f-stops because every lens has what you call a "sweet spot" and you will notice even if you have to use a tripod it is worth it. So find that f-stop range it'll will improve your image drastically.

[JohnJimenez]

Something you may want to try is to put something bigger directly in front of the object you are shooting, and auto focus on that. Remove the bigger object and switch the camera into manual focus, (to prevent it from trying to refocus) and take some shots changing your F stop up and down along the way.

This, of course, is only a method that should be done with a tripod and in the situations where you are able to control the subject you are shooting. (Water drops, the Fly you care currently using)